Complete Defense Verdict Secured for Washington Municipality in $150 Million Wrongful Death Trial
Baker Sterchi secured a complete defense verdict for a Washington municipality following a seven-week jury trial in Pierce County Superior Court. The trial involved four consolidated wrongful death lawsuits in which plaintiffs collectively sought approximately $150 million.
The litigation arose from a two-vehicle collision that claimed the lives of six young adults. Plaintiffs alleged that dangerous roadway conditions and defective traffic signal operations contributed to the collision and that the government entities responsible for the intersection failed to address known safety concerns.
The trial involved multiple plaintiffs and defendants, competing experts and extensive evidence concerning the intersection’s design, traffic signal operations and the drivers’ conduct. Evidence showed that one vehicle entered the intersection against a red light and that the other vehicle was traveling approximately 80 mph in a 50-mph zone shortly before the collision.
Washington’s joint and several liability law heightened the potential exposure for the government defendants. A finding of even a small percentage of fault could have exposed them to responsibility for the full recoverable verdict on claims subject to joint and several liability.
The jury rejected the claims against the municipality, finding no liability on its part and assigning responsibility to other parties. The verdict resolved all claims against Baker Sterchi’s client without an award of damages against it.
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